A NORWEGIAN comedian will next week begin an attempt to break the world record for the longest solo stand-up comedy show previously held by Irish comic Tommy Tiernan.
The record, currently held by Australian Lindsay Webb, stands at 38 hours and six minutes.
Tiernan set the record in April in Galway 2009 with a performance that lasted for 36 hours and 15 minutes.
Webb then went on to establish a new world record in Brisbane last October.
Hans Morten Hansen (46), who is from Stavanger, the third-largest city in Norway, will be attempting to set a new record next Wednesday during the Oslo Comedy Festival.
"It all started as a challenge, and I was dismayed when I found out how long Tommy and Lindsay had managed," Hansen told The Irish Times.
“I read up about Tommy’s record-breaking attempt online and was very impressed by what he did.
“I think the key here is to have an audience there to support you, and to use the five-minute breaks you’re allowed each hour wisely so that I don’t fall asleep during the middle of it.”
The record attempt is to be streamed online, and members of the public are invited to send in comments to Hansen. It will be closely monitored by fellow stand-up comedian Jonas Kinge Bergland, who is a qualified doctor.
Hansen said he has plenty of material to use, having performed two separate tours this year, and he’s hopeful members of the public will also give him ideas that he can use.
“Fortunately, you are allowed to repeat yourself, which is a relief because I’m not sure if it is humanly possible for a comedian to perform fresh material for so long,” he said.
“In terms of preparation I was hoping to get plenty of sleep before the event, but unfortunately that’s no longer an option because the kindergarten that my son goes to will be closed on Monday and Tuesday so I will have to spend the days with him – and he can be quite a handful,” he added.
Later this year, Hansen will be supporting Irish comedian Ed Byrne at the Great Norwegian Comedy Festival 2010, which takes place in Stavanger during October.
Hansen’s record-breaking attempt will be viewable at www.vg.no.
